When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Human settlements are ringed by a dense wilderness from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high ground belongs to the rich and powerful that overlook swampland shantytowns from their fortress-like cities. Iron-fisted rule ensures order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves.

Delve into the first chapter of Orchid, the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

Delve into the first chapter of Orchid, the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

Delve into the first chapter of Orchid, the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

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Most helpful customer reviews

Reason for Reading: On impulse actually. I've just re-read the publisher's summary and I think that last paragraph was missing from what I first read as "teenage" prostitute does not appeal to me at all. However, for some reason, this called to me.

I am so glad I read this, rather unusual for me, graphic novel. Very violent, quite graphic in s*xuality, language and plain brutal images. The publisher recommends age 14+. I'm age 40+ and was disturbed by some images; my recommended age is 18+. So I start with these caveats but let me tell you this was a fantastic story!

It did start off a bit shaky. The premise is somewhat unbelievable as to how this post-apocalyptic world came to be along with the mutant DNA animals. Also I'm a bit tired of assuming that future worlds will be medieval-like and women will revert back to being used, abused "property" of men. But. Suspending belief to a degree and getting comfortable within this world with the first couple of issues, by the third issue the story has picked up and proves to be an extremely detailed, intriguing, highly developed plot. There are many side stories along with the major plot taking shape within this first volume and I was completely hooked by the end and am anxious to read volume 2 which has been added to my pre-order titles.

The characters are fantastic especially Orchid and the main male character, Simon. Orchid (who I never thought of as "teenage" but had rather set her as 20-21 in my mind) starts off weak, and a bit whiny, but her character grows throughout this volume to become the hero she is going to be for the future of the series. Simon really shined for me.Read more ›

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

Amazon.com:
8 reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Solid entertainment for those willing to suspend disbeliefJuly 17 2012

By
Alt
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

Oceans are rising, presumably the result of global warming. Somehow chemicals dumped into the sea cause genetic codes to be smashed, resulting in a new breed of monsters swimming to shore and eating people. The surviving humans are mostly enslaved by the elite, in the form of scientist-warlords. A dude named Simon steals a magic mask that empowers the saintly wearer (if donned by someone who isn't saintly, the wearer's head implodes). Simon befriends a prostitute named Orchid and meets a crazy old lady who lives in the Wild. Simon's goal is nothing less than revolution, class warfare that will pit the slaves against the masters, but his first step is to free Anzio, the rebel leader.

If you ignore the fact that the whole monster angle makes not the slightest bit of sense, the story has an appealing mythical quality. You also need to ignore the fact that cars and most mechanical devices haven't survived the devastation, but somehow "reflective bioheat panels" have been salvaged to illuminate tunnels and robots continue to operate factories. Assuming a powerful willingness to suspend disbelief, however, Orchid consistently entertains. The story is imaginative, the writing is a step or two above average, and the art is impressive. The coloring is especially noteworthy.

I would give this 4 1/2 stars, deducting a half star for the mutated monsters and a bit too much exposition in the opening pages, but since Amazon doesn't allow half stars, I'm rounding it back to 5 stars to reflect the originality of the story and the strength of the writing and art. I'm hooked and eager to see the next installment.

Celebrated musician Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) has created a larger-than-life post-apocalyptic graphic novel about disaster, revolution, and hair-raising monsters. Orchid, Vol. 1 is a grandiose adventure of disturbingly epic proportions. It's not for the faint of heart, nor is it for those of you who don't want to be sucker punched by a reluctant hero, a feisty (prostitute) female lead, war torn nations, and creatures who'd love to have you as a snack. This is a dark and dreadful, weary place. And I invite Dystopian fans to step into the pages and submerge themselves in Orchid's frightening world.

Meet Simon, a book smart rebel who has come into possession of an artifact used by the infamous General China. He eludes capture, only to stumble upon a boy who he just barely rescues from certain death. The young boy takes Simon to his home where we meet his mother and eventually a prostitute with the word "property" tattooed across her chest, Orchid. Because of a certain "thing" Orchid has done, trouble follows her home and she, Simon and her brother are captured. And consequently, their mother is killed. Thus begins their hair-raising adventure of survival, loss, and retribution.

Overall, Orchid Volume 1 is great for anyone looking for over-the-top fantasy adventures with not-so-happy beginnings, a lot of death, and creatures that might make you think twice about entering dark forests. The artwork, ominous tone, and worldbuilding will capture your attention from page one and take you on an emotional journey that won't let up until the ride is over. Yeah folks...it's good!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Disengaging writing but nice artAug. 30 2012

By
brickman
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

I had really high hopes for this title, being a huge fan of dystopian/apocalyptic type stories like Walking Dead, Y: The Last Man, and DMZ. Not trying to be harsh but I was severely disappointed with Orchid.

Scott Hepburn's (Dark Horse's KOTOR) art is very fitting for the wild beasts and apocalyptic jungle scenery but the action sequences and conveyance of motion just feels flat and boring.There is very little dialogue and what IS present is often times really disengaging and down right annoying (one character in particular). Overall, the characters are very bland and one note.

I feel like Morello wanted to include some intense and mature subject matter to give the world of Orchid a gritty and hopeless kind of feel, but some of it is just too forced.

It may just be that Morello needs to get rolling considering this is his first shot at writing comics but MAN, this needs a face lift.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Familiar but IntriguingDec 2 2013

By
Travis Starnes
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

Orchid is a post-apocalyptic story, one that imagines society locked in a fierce slave-and-master dynamic between the rich and the poor. The rich can afford to live on high ground and largely avoid the perils of the ever-encroaching ‘wild’, while the poor are doomed to suffer as their slaves, ensuring a strict world order that privileges one group over the other. Naturally, in any good story that involves these elements, there is a resistance. Complicating things is the presence of a mask with rumored magical abilities, a relic of a failed rebellion that can only be worn by a saint.

The art really sells the premise and the story is compelling enough that you can shrug away a few head scratching moments. Overall, Orchid is a somewhat familiar but thoroughly intriguing.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Already Pre-Ordered Vol. 2!Sept. 2 2012

By
Nicola Mansfield
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

Reason for Reading: On impulse actually. I've just re-read the publisher's summary and I think that last paragraph was missing from what I first read as "teenage" prostitute does not appeal to me at all. However, for some reason, this called to me.

I am so glad I read this, rather unusual for me, graphic novel. Very violent, quite graphic in s*xuality, language and plain brutal images. The publisher recommends age 14+. I'm age 40+ and was disturbed by some images; my recommended age is 18+. So I start with these caveats but let me tell you this was a fantastic story!

It did start off a bit shaky. The premise is somewhat unbelievable as to how this post-apocalyptic world came to be along with the mutant DNA animals. Also I'm a bit tired of assuming that future worlds will be medieval-like and women will revert back to being used, abused "property" of men. But. Suspending belief to a degree and getting comfortable within this world with the first couple of issues, by the third issue the story has picked up and proves to be an extremely detailed, intriguing, highly developed plot. There are many side stories along with the major plot taking shape within this first volume and I was completely hooked by the end and am anxious to read volume 2 which has been added to my pre-order titles.

The characters are fantastic especially Orchid and the main male character, Simon. Orchid (who I never thought of as "teenage" but had rather set her as 20-21 in my mind) starts off weak, and a bit whiny, but her character grows throughout this volume to become the hero she is going to be for the future of the series. Simon really shined for me. A slave who learned to read, he speaks rather "bookish" and pompously compared to the general population; he is an idealist who thinks the world is the way he wants it to be. He is a hero but also adds a much needed comic relief to the otherwise dark, brutish nature of the rest of the story.

I really can't say how much I enjoyed this story. I'd even be tempted to buy the comics and I don't "do" individual comics! Highly entertaining and promises to be an above average epic.